Showing papers in "Sugar Tech in 2016"
TL;DR: The Indian sugar industry, the second largest in the world, is a key driver of rural development, supporting India's economic growth as discussed by the authors and is inherently inclusive supporting over 6 million farmers and their families, along with workers and entrepreneurs of over 550 sugar mills.
Abstract: The Indian sugar industry, second largest in the world, is a key driver of rural development, supporting India’s economic growth The industry is inherently inclusive supporting over 6 million farmers and their families, along with workers and entrepreneurs of over 550 sugar mills, apart from a host of wholesalers and distributors spread across the country Contribution of sugarcane to the national GDP is 11% which is significant considering that the crop is grown only in 257% of the gross cropped area In India sugar is an essential item of mass consumption, and the domestic demand is around 25 million tonnes per annum Sugar and jaggery are the cheapest source of energy, supplying around 10% of the daily calorie intake Sugarcane has been projected as the crop for the future, contributing to the production of not only sugar but also a renewable source of green energy in the form of bioethanol, bioelectricity and many biobased products The industry produces 350–365 million tons (Mt) cane, 25–27 Mt white sugar and 6–8 Mt jaggery and khandsari every year Besides, about 27 billion litres of alcohol and 5500 MW of power and many chemicals are also produced The industry is able to export around 3200 MW of power to the grid The major challenges for sugarcane agriculture is static sugarcane productivity (70 tons/ha) and sugar recovery (10%) at national level The Indian sugar industry is fully capable of meeting demand of potable alcohol as well as 5% blending in gasoline Industry is gradually transforming into sugar complexes by producing sugar, bioelectricity, bioethanol, biomanure and chemicals Emergent businesses like fuel ethanol, raw sugar and structural changes in global market have provided new horizons for the Indian sugar industry The sector today not only has transformational opportunities that would enable it to continue to service the largest domestic markets but has also emerged as a significant carbon credit and green power producer and has potential to support ethanol blending programme of E10 and beyond The sugar industry is gearing up to meet the challenges of 2030 through judicious integration of agro-technology, improved management practices, diversification and farmers’ friendly policies The crop besides providing the food and energy needs of the country also contributes to employment and revenue generation, social development and environmental safety Because of the manifold benefits from the crop and its wide and varied uses, sugarcane agriculture will remain a major contributor to the sustainable development of sugar industry in India
43 citations
TL;DR: Under Indian conditions, it was found that combined or separate infections of viruses causing mosaic and yellow leaf, phytoplasmas causing grassy shoot and leaf yellows and bacterium causing ratoon stunting disease are associated with varietal degeneration.
Abstract: Vegetative propagation in sugarcane favours accumulation of pathogens inside the canes and carryover of pathogenic inoculum through planting materials. Except foliar diseases, disease-infected setts serve as a primary source for disease spread for most of the diseases in the crop. In case of fungal diseases, planting infected setts leads to disease builds up in plant crop and probably death of the affected clump. However, in case of non-fungal diseases continuous accumulation of pathogens systemically leads to loss of vigour in sugarcane varieties referred to as ‘varietal degeneration’ and this results in loss of yield potential in elite commercial varieties. Past decades witnessed many such instances of degeneration in popular sugarcane varieties and their replacement with new varieties. With the development of precise molecular diagnostic tools, the associated pathogens were precisely identified. Under Indian conditions, it was found that combined or separate infections of viruses causing mosaic and yellow leaf (YL), phytoplasmas causing grassy shoot and leaf yellows and bacterium causing ratoon stunting disease are associated with varietal degeneration. The degeneration was rapid and severe when all these pathogens infect sugarcane together as compared to their separate infections. However, among all these diseases, YL contributes more towards degeneration of sugarcane varieties. The disease occurrence to epidemic levels in different states is a serious concern for sugar industry and due to that longevity of the affected varieties in the field is threatened. Meristem-tip culture combined with molecular diagnosis was found effective eliminate the pathogens efficiently from the cane. Developing disease-free nurseries is imperative to sustain productivity of sugarcane and to realize yield potential of popular sugarcane varieties in India.
34 citations
TL;DR: Assessment of genetic diversity among 181 sugarcane clones using fluorescence-labeled seven gSSR and eight EST-SSR primer pairs and a capillary electrophoresis genotyping platform suggested there was no significant genetic differentiation or population structure variations among the 14 series.
Abstract: Genetic diversity analysis, which refers to the elaboration of total extent of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a certain species, constitutes a classical strategy for the study of diversity, population genetic structure, and breeding practices. In this study, fluorescence-labeled seven gSSR and eight EST-SSR primer pairs and a capillary electrophoresis genotyping platform were used to assess the genetic diversity among 181 sugarcane clones. The clones were sorted into 14 series based on their origin. A total of 205 polymorphic SSR alleles were identified. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) value was 0.94 for gSSRs and 0.93 for EST-SSRs, respectively. Gene differentiation coefficient (Gst) of inter-series variation (13.71 %) was much lower than intra-series variation (86.29 %). Gene flow value (Nm = 3.15) suggested that there was no significant genetic differentiation or population structure variations among the 14 series. The 181 clones could be clustered into seven groups based on neighbor-joining cluster analysis. Three major groups, namely the USA Group, the Guangxi-Hainan-Fujian Group, and the Guangdong Group, consisted of 36, 64, and 39 clones, respectively. The genotyping data provide valuable information for selecting cross parents, designing cross combinations, and future hybrid breeding strategies.
33 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of the molar mass and deacetylation degree of chitosan and of the concentration of pentasodium tripolyphosphate in the production of micro/nanoparticles was evaluated.
Abstract: Chitosan cross-linked pentasodium tripolyphosphate particles were produced by ionotropic gelation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the molar mass and deacetylation degree of chitosan and of the concentration of pentasodium tripolyphosphate in the production of chitosan micro/nanoparticles. The obtained charge ratio (R±), mean particle size, surface electrical charge, polydispersity index, and tendency of particle aggregation were selected as dependent variables. Results demonstrated that stable particles exhibited a high zeta potential value, between +62 and +68 mV. Particles were produced in different size ranges controlling the R± between the positively charged chitosan and negatively charged pentasodium tripolyphosphate. Chitosan micro/nanoparticles were successfully prepared via the ionic gelation method controlling R±, therefore the association of an active ingredient to a micro/nanoparticle allows the molecule to intimately interact with specific structures, to overcome barriers and to prolong its residence time in the target. Chitosan cross-linked pentasodium tripolyphosphate particles are expected to be a good approach for active ingredients formulation in the agrofood sector and related industries.
30 citations
TL;DR: The data in this study enriched the sugarcane transcriptome resources and will be useful for further comparison and functional genomic studies in genus Saccharum and family Poaceae, and for further detailed elucidation of sucrose accumulation in Sugarcane.
Abstract: Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is the most important sugar crop and a major source of bio-ethanol. Sucrose accumulation is important in sugarcane, but it has not been investigated by transcriptome analysis
. In this study, the transcriptome of a high-sucrose sugarcane variety, GT35, was sequenced using high-throughput Solexa technology. A total of 34,105,138 high-quality reads with an average length of 75 bp were obtained. These reads were assembled into 101,255 unigenes, with a mean length of 460 bp and an N50 length of 640 bp. BLAST searches indicated that 36,472 (36.0 %) unigenes had homologous sequences in the NCBI non-redundant protein sequences databases, and 23,811 (23.5 %) had homologous sequences in the Swiss-Prot databases. A total of 14,613 unigenes were assigned gene ontology terms, and 13,231 were assigned functional annotations and grouped into 25 functional categories. A KEGG pathway analysis of 30,756 unigenes revealed more than 30 pathways in the sugarcane transcriptome. A total of 3420 simple sequence repeats were identified in 3185 unigenes. The data in this study enriched the sugarcane transcriptome resources and will be useful for further comparison and functional genomic studies in genus Saccharum and family Poaceae, and will be useful for further detailed elucidation of sucrose accumulation in sugarcane.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of calcium and silicon foliar fertilization on the sugar beet root yield and quality parameters was investigated in the southeastern region of Poland, in Sahryn (50°41′N and 23°46′E).
Abstract: In this study we investigated the effect of calcium and silicon foliar fertilization on the sugar beet root yield and quality parameters. Study was conducted in 2010–2012 in the southeastern region of Poland, in Sahryn (50°41′N and 23°46′E). In the experiment two treatments of foliar fertilization were used: (1) in the stage of 4–6 sugar beet leaf–262.0 g Ca/ha, 79.9 g Si/ha, and 3 weeks later–524.0 g Ca/ha, 159.8 g Si/ha; and (2) in the stage of 4–6 sugar beet leaf–524.0 g Ca/ha, 1598 g Si/ha, 3 weeks later–524.0 g Ca/ha, 159.8 g Si/ha. Calcium and silicon foliar fertilization resulted in increase of: (1) the root yield (average for both treatments about 21.8 %); (2) the biological sugar yield (about 24.4 %); and (3) the technological yield of sugar (about 24.8 %) compared with the control treatment. The difference between treatments of fertilization was not significant. Foliar application of calcium and silicon had no significant effect on such sugar beet roots quality parameters features as content of sucrose, alpha-amino-nitrogen, potassium and sodium.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the current production structure of the sugar quota holder system in the European Union (EU) and to determine the competitiveness and level of concentration in the system which is operated by more than a hundred sugar factories owned by approximately fifty companies.
Abstract: The European sugar industry which mainly relies on sugar beet is unique with its production quotas, minimum beet price and trade mechanisms. This study aimed to outline and specify the current production structure of the sugar quota holder system in the European Union (EU) and to determine the competitiveness and level of concentration in the system which is operated by more than a hundred sugar factories owned by approximately fifty companies. The study reveals that EU quota holder system is highly concentrated in certain regions like Germany, France, Great Britain and The Netherlands regardless of sugar-producing destinations and individual factories and is controlled by the companies/alliances operating in these regions. The study also reveals that monopoly of these regions has created unfair competition in European sugar market.
25 citations
TL;DR: An effective protocol was established for the micropropagation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Asteraceae) through direct organogenesis using thin cell layer (TCL) method, and 90 % acclimated successfully under greenhouse conditions.
Abstract: An effective protocol was established for the micropropagation of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Asteraceae) through direct organogenesis using thin cell layer (TCL) method. Different concentrations (0, 2.22, 4.44, and 6.66 µM) of exogenous growth regulators [Benzyladenine (BA) and (0, 2.26, 4.52, and 6.78 µM) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)] were evaluated in combination with transverse thin cell layers (tTCLs) of the hypocotyls of seedlings established in vitro in MS medium. The best organogenic response (31.16 shoots per tTCL explant) was obtained by applying 6.78 µM of 2,4-D. The effect of incubation conditions on the morphogenetic responses was evaluated. Combination of conditions of photoperiod and complete darkness presented the best results in terms of the appearance of shoots vigor. Roots formed on 100 % of the shoots on using ½ MS without PGRs. Of the regenerated plants, 90 % acclimated successfully under greenhouse conditions.
24 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper developed a series of unique farming technologies in commercial sugarcane production and developed an advanced technology system since 1990s, including deep ploughing and fine preparation of soil, economical fertilization system; trash addition to field, water-saving irrigation, use of pathogen-free healthy seedcane, rational application of vinasse in sugar-cane field, chemical control, mechanization for sugar cane management, and comprehensive control of diseases, pests and weeds.
Abstract: Since 1980s, the Chinese sugar industry has been developing at a fast pace. In the milling year 2007/2008, the total sugar production in China reached 14.83 MT, which was 24.04 % higher than that in previous milling year, and cane sugar production reached 13.67 MT, which was 92.18 % of the total. Guangxi is the largest sugarcane and sugar producer in China, which produced 9.41 MT sugar in 2007/2008 and 8.56 MT sugar in 2013/2014. China has developed a series of unique farming technologies in commercial sugarcane production and has developed an advanced technology system since 1990s. These technologies include deep ploughing and fine preparation of soil, economical fertilization system; trash addition to field, water-saving irrigation, use of pathogen-free healthy seedcane, rational application of vinasse in sugarcane field, chemical control, mechanization for sugarcane management, and comprehensive control of diseases, pests and weeds. The exploitation and comprehensive application of the new sugarcane farming technologies have promoted the Chinese sugar industry to a new level in about every 5 years, and made China become the third biggest sugar-producing country in the world. However, the sugar industry has been experiencing a very difficult time in the last two milling years because of the worldwide low sugar price and the high production cost at the domestic level, which led to a substantial reduction in sugarcane-growing areas and sugar production. Mechanization and the related sugarcane variety selection and farming technology development have become the bottleneck for sustaining the development of the sugar industry in China.
23 citations
TL;DR: An efficient protocol for plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis was standardized using three cultivars of sugarcane and putative embryogenic calli were characterized by their creamy white, nodular and friable appearance.
Abstract: An efficient protocol for plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis was standardized using three cultivars of sugarcane (CoJ64, CoJ83 & CoJ86). Callus cultures were established by culturing the spindle segments on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 2,4-d (4.0 mg/L) and kinetin (0.5 mg/L). The embryogenic calli were transferred to different media containing various concentrations of sugars (sucrose 3, 6 % and maltose 3, 6 %), proline (560 mg/L), activated charcoal (2.0 g/L), ABA (2.0 mg/L), cefotaxime (250 ppm) and agar (1.0 and 1.6 %) for optimization of somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic calli were characterized by their creamy white, nodular and friable appearance. Putative embryogenic calli were further confirmed through histological studies. For shoot regeneration, the embryogenic callus was transferred to MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mg/L) and kinetin (0.5 mg/L). Roots were induced from the regenerated shoots by transferring to MS medium supplemented with NAA (5.0 mg/L) and high level of sucrose (70 g/L). Somatic embryogenesis and subsequent plant regeneration was found genotype dependent. Hardening of the rooted plantlets was done before transplanting to field. The hardened plantlets exhibited good survival ranging from 85 to 90 %.
23 citations
TL;DR: The two N2-fixing bacteria isolates obtained from the surface-sterilized stalks of sugarcane cultivars GT11 and B8 showed acetylene reduction activity in nitrogen-free media and showed increased nitrogenase activity with increasing concentration of carbon in the cultural media, for which the sucrose was better compared to glucose.
Abstract: Two N2-fixing bacteria isolates, B11S and B8S, were obtained from the surface-sterilized stalks of sugarcane cultivars GT11 and B8. Both isolates showed acetylene reduction activity in nitrogen-free media. The two nitrogen-fixing bacterial isolates produced siderophores, and the ability of B8Ss was higher than that of B11S. The two isolates were also able to dissolve Ca3(PO4)2, and the ability of B11S was higher. It was found that only the strain B8S displayed ACC deaminase activity. The IAA production ability of strain B8S was higher than that of B11S. Both the B11S and B8S isolates were classified on the basis of 16 S rRNA gene sequences and their biological characteristics. The 16 S rRNA gene sequence of isolates B11S and B8S showed 98.5 and 100 % similarities with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Rhizobium radiobacter), respectively. For both growth and nitrogenase activity of the isolates, the optimum temperature was 31 °C. The optimum pH for their growth was 6.0, but it ranged from 6.5 to 7.0 for nitrogenase activity. The two strains grew faster and showed increased nitrogenase activity with increasing concentration of carbon in the cultural media, for which the sucrose was better compared to glucose. Further, the growth and nitrogenase activity of the strains were found better when cultured in the media containing suitable concentrations of NH4
+ and NO3
−; however, the growth of both isolates was hindered significantly with increasing concentration of both nitrogen sources.
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of different production factors on cane yield and commercial cane sugar level of sugarcane grown under contract farming system in Thailand was investigated and the results showed that irrigation, chemical fertilizer application and farm size significantly influenced cane yield.
Abstract: Many farmers in Thailand grow sugarcane under contract farming, which is a potential system to support sugarcane product management from farm to sugar factory. Contract farming system has potential advantages to both farmers and agribusiness companies. The farmers receive input support, production services, credit support, appropriate technology, skill transfer and guaranteed and fixed pricing from agribusiness companies. Agribusiness companies that make the contract with farmers have ensured product and receive quality product. Two major problems of sugarcane production under contract farming in Thailand are low yield and low quality which is dependent on production practice. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of different production factors on cane yield and commercial cane sugar level of sugarcane grown under contract farming system in Thailand. The data were collected from a farm survey through individual interview of contract sugarcane farmers from three sugar mills located at Lopburi, Saraburi and Nakhon Sawan Provinces, Thailand. A total of 270 farmers belonging to small, medium and large farm sizes were selected. The results showed that irrigation, chemical fertilizer application and farm size significantly influenced cane yield and accounted for 82 % of the variation in yield. Timely delivery from farm to sugar mill and crop age of sugarcane during harvesting were the factors significantly related to the quality of sugarcane product typically measured by commercial cane sugar value and accounted for 71.8 % of the variation in sugarcane quality. Good management practice in sugarcane farm is important to increase yield and commercial cane sugar level. Farmers can obtain higher cane yield by providing adequate irrigation depending on the need during different crop growth stages and application of chemical fertilizers based on soil analysis. These practices can be better managed under small farms where farmers have greater control. The quality of sugarcane can be improved by harvesting at optimum maturity period and minimizing delivery time of the harvested product from farm to sugar mill.
TL;DR: If the BSRI-recommended technologies are followed properly, the sugarcane production and thereby sugar and jaggery production will be certainly increased.
Abstract: The current production of sugar in Bangladesh is only about 5% of total demand About 20% demand is fulfilled by jaggery production mainly from sugarcane and remaining 75% of total requirement is fulfilled by importation The main causes of lower sugar production of the industry include less supply of sugarcane in the factories and very poor sugar recovery The area under cane cultivation is drastically reduced due to pressure of cereals and other short-duration crops which cause lower amount of sugarcane production The yield of cane per unit area is lower than the other sugar producing countries The government of Bangladesh is emphasizing the attainment of self-sufficiency in sugar and jaggery production by boosting up the sugarcane production in the country Moreover, the government has taken some steps to introduce tropical sugar beet for sugar production Considering this aspect, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI) has developed and recommended a good numbers of sugarcane production technologies from planting to harvesting The technologies include releasing of a large number of high yielding, high sugar content, diseases and pest resistant sugarcane varieties, intercropping with sugarcane, spaced transplanting technology, ratoon management technology, diseases and pest management technology, updating the fertilizer dose for 12 agro-ecological zones and development of some important implements for sugarcane cultivation BSRI released some varieties which are suitable for jaggery production and some are abiotic stress (drought, water-logging, saline and flood) tolerant Moreover, BSRI has been doing research on tropical sugar beet to introduce its cultivation in the country Introduction of sugarcane in the river basins, plain land of hilly areas and the saline areas can considerably increase the sugarcane production Furthermore, if the BSRI-recommended technologies are followed properly, the sugarcane production and thereby sugar and jaggery production will be certainly increased
TL;DR: Temporal gene expression pattern of the EST clusters by quantitative real time PCR revealed that, resistant cultivar had a higher level of gene expression than the susceptible cultivar in all the clusters till 48 h after pathogen inoculation.
Abstract: A suppression subtractive hybridization technique was used to identify differentially expressed genes in sugarcane in response to Colletotrichum falcatum, the fungal pathogen causing red rot in sugarcane. Messenger RNA (mRNA) samples collected from red rot resistant cv. Co 93009 at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after pathogen challenge were pooled together and used as tester population. mRNA samples collected from red rot susceptible cv. CoC 671 at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after pathogen challenge and control of samples of cv. Co 93009 and cv. CoC 671 were pooled together and used as the driver population. A forward subtraction enriched for differentially expressed ESTs in the resistant cultivar was carried out. At the end of subtraction, cloning and sequencing, 136 EST sequences were assembled into ten clusters/contigs. Based on TIGR homology search, the clusters were found to be involved in reactive oxygen species signaling, defense and the secretory pathway of plant innate immunity associated with hypersensitive response—mediated programmed cell death. Temporal gene expression pattern of the EST clusters by quantitative real time PCR revealed that, resistant cultivar had a higher level of gene expression than the susceptible cultivar in all the clusters till 48 h after pathogen inoculation. In conclusion, this study identified for the first time a set of differentially expressed EST clusters in red rot resistant sugarcane cultivar in response to C. falcatum infection.
TL;DR: Results indicate that sweet sorghum in Iowa should be planted in May or June in 20 cm rows at a low to moderate seeding rate and a low N fertilization rate, as well as biomass yield or ethanol potential.
Abstract: Sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] has been suggested as a biofuel feedstock due to its high productivity, low N requirements, and drought tolerance but little data exist on its management in the Midwestern US Corn Belt. In 2005 and 2006 in central Iowa, USA, plots were seeded with ‘Top 76-6’ sweet sorghum on three dates; late May, early June, and late June, at rates of 4.5, 11.2, and 17.9 kg ha−1 with row widths of 20, 38, and 76 cm, and fertilized at either 84 or 168 kg N ha−1 to determine how sweet sorghum yield and plant composition respond to changes in management. Yields were highest when sweet sorghum was planted in 20 cm row widths in late May (26.3 Mg ha−1) or early June (29.0 Mg ha−1). Several plant carbohydrates were affected by seeding date in 2005, but not 2006. Theoretical ethanol yields averaged 10,616 and 11,408 L ha−1 in 2005 and 2006, respectively, and were highest when sweet sorghum was planted earlier in the season and in narrow rows. In contrast, N fertilization and seeding rate had few impacts on sweet sorghum growth, biomass yield or ethanol potential. Based on these results, sweet sorghum in Iowa should be planted in May or June in 20 cm rows at a low to moderate seeding rate and a low N fertilization rate.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated the performance of the DSSAT CSM-CANEGRO model under operational conditions in Brazil, and to determine the benefits of different complementary irrigation strategies for increasing yield in different regions in the country.
Abstract: Sugarcane is a crop of major importance for Brazil. Many of the sugarcane fields are located in the center-south of the country, where sugarcane is grown as a rainfed crop. However, it has recently also expanded into marginal areas where irrigation is required. As water is less available during the dry season in these areas, a study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the DSSAT CSM-CANEGRO model under operational conditions in Brazil, and to determine the benefits of different complementary irrigation strategies for increasing yield in different regions in the country. Two different datasets were used to evaluate the performance of DSSAT CSM-CANEGRO in the most traditional sugarcane areas in Brazil, where the model was used to simulate plant cane crop yield. Further, the crop model was used to simulate sugarcane yield under different climatic conditions, in order to assess its sensitivity under real conditions. Additionally, five different complementary irrigation scenarios were simulated, with a fixed irrigation depth of 30 mm, and with the number of irrigations ranging from zero (rainfed crop) to five (150 mm per cycle), during the dry season at each location. The CSM-CANEGRO presented a satisfactory performance to estimate the operational sugarcane yield in different environments, with an acceptable root mean square error of about 15 t ha−1. Based on the simulations with the different complementary irrigation strategies, it was possible to understand that the 12-month plant cane’s response to water depends on amounts of water, soil type and planting date. The highest yield increments were observed in the sandy soils, where the water deficit is more intense. However, for the majority of the locations evaluated, the average yield increment for the irrigation depth applied, between 30 and 150 mm, was no greater than 30 %, with the exception of Petrolina, PE, which has a semi-arid climate.
TL;DR: In this article, the feasibility of using a chlorophyll meter for estimating leaf chlorophyLL content of sugarcane varieties under iron deficient condition was assessed. And the results suggest that the readings from a SPAD meter can be used for rapid and non-destructive estimation of leaf chlorophll and it could facilitate in situ decision making for identifying tolerant varieties to iron deficiency for superior sugar cane yield.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a chlorophyll meter for estimating leaf chlorophyll content of sugarcane varieties under iron deficient condition. The SPAD chlorophyll meter readings were used to measure the leaf greenness. Leaf chlorophyll contents were also determined using the acetone extraction method and metabolically active iron content of leaf was analysed by 1,10-orthophenanthroline extract. SPAD readings were significantly correlated with leaf chlorophyll content, active iron content, cane yield, sugar yield and NMC of sugarcane varieties. These results suggest that the readings from a SPAD meter can be used for rapid and non-destructive estimation of leaf chlorophyll and it could facilitate in situ decision making for identifying tolerant varieties to iron deficiency for superior sugarcane yield.
TL;DR: The results indicate that direct application of these metabolites and/or development and application of biopesticides based on them has the potential to provide consistent and effective disease control.
Abstract: Secondary metabolites produced by the biocontrol fungi Trichoderma have been frequently implicated in the inhibition of diverse plant pathogens in several crops. We carried out laboratory and field studies to assess the antifungal potential of soluble inhibitory metabolites produced by Trichoderma against red rot of sugarcane caused by Colletotrichum falcatum. A total of 33 Trichoderma isolates were selected and assessed for production of soluble inhibitory metabolites against C. falcatum in vitro. Malt extract broth (MEB), potato dextrose broth (PDB) and minimal salts broth were evaluated as growth medium for production of inhibitory metabolites. For most isolates, the highest inhibitory activity was observed with metabolites produced on MEB and lowest when produced on PDB, indicating the importance of growth medium in inhibitory metabolite production. Considerable variability (ranging from 0.7 to 70.6 %) was observed in the inhibitory activity of soluble metabolites of the 33 isolates against C. falcatum with only five isolates showing >40 % inhibition in C. falcatum growth. Field experiments were carried out in two years to evaluate potential of Trichoderma metabolites for management of red rot. Sugarcane setts, pre-inoculated with C. falcatum, were treated with Trichoderma metabolites and planted. Observations on germination failure, settling, tiller and cane mortality due to red rot were recorded regularly. The metabolites of isolates STr-108 and STr-12 showed considerable reduction in red rot incidence (40–55 % reduction over control) in both years. The results indicate that direct application of these metabolites and/or development and application of biopesticides based on them has the potential to provide consistent and effective disease control.
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that the transcript profile in in vitro system of Sugarcane suspension cells and Cf-elicitor is close to the cane tissue challenged with the pathogen and useful to identify defense related traits in sugarcane against Cf.
Abstract: Red rot, a stalk disease in sugarcane caused by Colletotrichum falcatum an ascomycete fungus is a serious production constraint in many Asian countries. However, very limited studies at molecular level exist of the mechanisms related to interaction between sugarcane and the fungal pathogen C. falcatum (Cf). In the conventional system of pathogen inoculation, disease development is influenced by prevailing environmental conditions in the field. Hence an attempt was made to standardize an in vitro system of using sugarcane suspension cells and crude elicitor of Cf for transcriptome analysis and identifying defense related genes. Suspension cells of sugarcane cv Co 93009 was treated with Cf-elicitor at 60 glucose equivalents and transcriptome profile was monitored 30 min and 3 h later by differential display RT-PCR. From the experiment 241 transcripts were found to be differentially expressed and finally 75 of them were cloned and sequenced. Among the up-regulated transcripts, about 37 % were found to be defense related and which was followed by transcription and post transcription (13 %), general metabolism (11 %), transport (9 %), cell structure/growth/division (9 %) and signal transduction (5 %). The down regulated transcript group constituted ~27 % of the differentially expressed transcripts and the grouping pattern was different. Overall, the results revealed up regulation of many potential defense related transcripts like putative chitinase, glycine rich protein, 14-3-3-like protein, xylanase inhibitor protein, calmodulin related protein, Myb-related transcription factor CBM2-like, basal layer antifungal peptide etc. Further by adopting RACE-PCR approach, complete gene sequences of 14-3-3-like protein and xylanase inhibitor were identified and the genes were characterized to domain level. Our results demonstrate that the transcript profile in in vitro system of sugarcane suspension cells and Cf-elicitor is close to the cane tissue challenged with the pathogen and useful to identify defense related traits in sugarcane against Cf.
TL;DR: In this article, a co-generation system was used to achieve surplus electricity to export to national grid at 123kWh per ton cane from sugar processing factory. But, it is not possible to achieve a surplus electricity at the cost of high electricity consumption.
Abstract: Sugarcane is one of the major agricultural crop of Thailand that covers 1.762 million hectares of area across the 47 provinces of the country. A current sugarcane production of 94.05 million tons is being utilized for varieties of applications, such as production of ethanol, sugar for consumption, fuel blending, pulp paper products, use of vinasse and filter cake for fertilization. To ensure crop sustainability, multiple policies and plans are implemented. Crop zoning and breeding improvement program significantly influences an increase in crop production and yield. With upgraded equipment of co-generation system in combination with optimizing operating conditions, it is possible to achieve surplus electricity to export to national grid at 123 kWh per ton cane from sugar processing factory. Multiple collaboration were established to create a centre for communication and negotiation between grower, miller, and government. These factors are the key to success of Thailand’s sugar industry.
TL;DR: DPCR is a suitable method for the quantitation of SNP_BvBTC1 within bulked DNA samples of sugar beet by comparing the sensitivity of qPCR, HRM and dPCR in detecting the allele A from two pools of bulk beet DNA.
Abstract: Real-time PCR (qPCR) allelic discrimination and high-resolution melting (HRM) methods are widely adopted for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Digital PCR (dPCR) is a new method recently proposed for the detection of low-frequency and/or rare SNP. The molecular marker SNP_BvBTC1 is used in sugar beet to distinguish between annual and biennial flowering plants. The CC genotype at this SNP locus is associated with biennial beets, while the CA and AA genotypes are typically found in annual beets. In this study, we compared the sensitivity of qPCR, HRM and dPCR in detecting the allele A from two pools of bulk beet DNA composed of 90 biennial + 10 annual plants (B1) and 99 biennial + 1 annual plant (B2), respectively. All annual plants were found to have the AA genotype. qPCR could not detect allele A in either the B1 or B2 pool and HRM detected allele A only at moderate frequencies (10 %), in the B1 pool. dPCR, on the contrary, was able to detect allele A in both pools. We therefore concluded that dPCR is a suitable method for the quantitation of SNP_BvBTC1 within bulked DNA samples of sugar beet.
TL;DR: In this paper, it was reported that sugarcane quality is affected not only by K but also by other components of K fertilizers, such as Cl− and SO4 2−.
Abstract: Sugarcane is generally fertilized with potassium chloride (KCl). It was reported in Okinawa, Japan, that potassium (K) in sugarcane juice has a negative effect on juice sucrose concentration. However, in some experiments, increasing K levels with potassium sulfate (K2SO4) did not reduce sucrose concentration. We hypothesized that sugarcane quality is affected not only by K but also by other components of K fertilizers, such as Cl− and SO4
2−. To test this hypothesis, two pot experiments were performed using different K levels supplied by KCl and K2SO4. Juice K+ and Cl− concentrations markedly increased with K levels irrespective of K type; however, there was little effect of the treatments on SO4
2− concentration. In the first experiment, as K levels increased, both KCl and K2SO4 application tended to increase sucrose concentration in August samples. In later periods, however, the relationships completely changed based on the K type: sucrose concentration tended to be reduced by KCl application but increased by K2SO4 application. Similar results were obtained in the second experiment, which resulted in lower sucrose concentration with higher levels of KCl; however, there was no negative effect of K2SO4 treatment. These results suggest that Cl− is the primary factor in sucrose reduction. K+ concentration strongly affected Cl− concentration in all K types; however, the rate of increase was lower when only K2SO4 was provided, thereby indicating that it is possible to lower Cl− concentration by K2SO4 application. This measure could lead to quality improvement.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight the most significant trends that have influenced the development of the Russian sugar beet industry and the current trade, in particular, and highlight some of the most important trends in sugar beet production in the Russian Federation.
Abstract: The Russian Federation represents a very important stakeholder in the area of sugar beet production and consumption in Europe and Central Asia. The Russian population annually consumes over 5.9 million tonnes of pure sugar. After a long period of stagnation in the Russian sugar industry, the Russian Federation is now aiming to restore production capacities in the areas of both sugar beet growing and sugar production. The ambitious government programme has supported the growth of production potential. The government’s goal is to reduce Russian dependence on imports of sugar, especially white sugar. During the period 1992–2000, there was a fall in Russia’s own cultivation as well as processing capacities, competitiveness decreased, and dependence on imports increased significantly. By contrast, the period 2000–2014 was a resuscitation of the Russian market and economy. This was reflected in an increase in sugar beet production as well as growth in sugar production. Russia’s dependence on imports of sugar from abroad dropped considerably and changed the structure of traded goods containing sugar. This review highlights the most significant trends that have influenced the development of the Russian sugar beet industry and the current trade, in particular.
TL;DR: In this paper, the adsorption performance of color compounds in sugar juice was investigated using modified sugarcane bagasse as an adsorbent, and it was shown that the results indicated that the modified bagasse is an inexpensive and efficient adorbent which has potential application for removing color compounds from sugar juice.
Abstract: The adsorption performance of color compounds in sugar juice was investigated using modified sugarcane bagasse as an adsorbent. The adsorption of color compounds was investigated at different operating conditions including adsorbent dosage, pH, and contact duration. Three kinetic models and two isotherms were applied to describe the adsorption process and evaluate the adsorption equilibrium, respectively. Results showed that the adsorption was optimum at an adsorbent dosage of 0.05 g/mL and at pH 5 for 30 min, which yielded 59.18 % of decolorization rate. Adsorption kinetics indicated that the process followed the pseudo-second-order chemisorption model. The adsorption behavior was well described by the Freundlich isotherm model, showing a multilayer capacity for color compounds. Moreover, the regeneration studies showed the adsorbent had a good reuse performance over several regeneration cycles. These results suggest that the modified sugarcane bagasse is an inexpensive and efficient adsorbent, which has potential application for removing color compounds from sugar juice.
TL;DR: On-farm study was undertaken at three sites in the irrigated coastal zone of Mauritius under sub-humid to humid mega-thermal climate and soils that were oxisol or inceptisol, which results in a trash blanket which contributes to conserve soil moisture, but potential savings in irrigation water have yet to be quantified.
Abstract: Sugarcane growers in Mauritius are using mechanized harvesting to reduce costs. This practice results in a trash blanket which contributes to conserve soil moisture, but potential savings in irrigation water have yet to be quantified. An on-farm study was undertaken at three sites in the irrigated coastal zone of Mauritius under sub-humid to humid mega-thermal climate and soils that were oxisol or inceptisol. Trials were conducted in ratoon crops under centre pivot irrigation and treatments with or without trash blanket, as well as different irrigation regimes. Sensors were used to log soil moisture data at 20, 40 and 60 cm depths. Increased drainage was observed under trash blanket during rainfall events and cumulative drainage for a 4-month wet period amounted to 43 and 240 mm for no-trash and trash blanket treatments respectively. Daily crop water use was higher with trash blanket, consumption being 4.9 and 5.1 mm day−1 compared to 4.2 and 4.6 mm day−1 for no-trash during peak growth at Savannah and Medine. Sugarcane yield was higher by 7.2 and 6.6 t ha−1 year−1 with trash blanket compared to no-trash, whereas water use efficiency increased by 8 and 9 kg ha−1 mm−1. At Saint Antoine, trash blanket increased the yield difference between irrigated and rainfed crops by 8.6 t ha−1 and improved water use efficiency by 7 kg ha−1 mm−1 when irrigated. Seasonal water equivalence of the trash blanket amounted to 62, 54 and 72 mm water at Savannah, Medine and Saint Antoine, a potential saving of 10–15 % in irrigation water.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of foliar applications of nitrogen compounds (potassium nitrate, urea and calcium nitrate) on physio-biochemical attributes in sugarcane plants (CoLk 94184) subjected to waterlogging was assessed.
Abstract: Present study was aimed to assess the effect of foliar applications of nitrogen compounds (potassium nitrate, urea and calcium nitrate) on physio-biochemical attributes in sugarcane plants (Saccharum spp. hybrids, CoLk 94184) subjected to waterlogging. Single bud setts were planted in earthen pots filled with soil. The treatments included control (T1), waterlogged (WL) (T2), WL + potassium nitrate (0.5 %) (T3), WL + urea (0.3 %) (T4) and WL + calcium nitrate (0.4 %) (T5). Waterlogging was imposed by placing planted pot into a larger plastic bucket and filling it with water up to 2 cm above the soil surface. After 2, 6 and 10 weeks of waterlogging, plants were sampled for growth, biochemical and molecular studies. Results obtained indicated decrease in shoot weight, leaf area and activity of nitrate reductase (NR) and increase in root weight, plant height, MDA, proline contents and peroxidase activity due to waterlogging compared to control plants. As compared to waterlogged treatment (T2), application of nitrogen compounds increased leaf area, shoot weight and NR activity and decreased MDA content. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene expression was up-regulated due to waterlogging (T2) and WL + nitrogen compounds in both leaf and root tissues; increase was highest in leaves of WL + urea (T4) and roots of WL + calcium nitrate treatment. Findings suggested beneficial effect of all tested nitrogen compounds on growth and biochemical attributes under waterlogged condition.
TL;DR: The challenge of cheaply imported sugar into Indonesia serves to highlight the scale of demand for the commodity which places Indonesia among the world’s largest buyers by volume, particularly from the country's food and beverage manufacturing sector.
Abstract: Indonesia currently has 63 sugar mills owned by 18 companies. The majority of these factories are old because of underinvestment and have low rates of productivity. The country’s sugar factories have a total capacity of 245,900 TCD or an average of 3900 TCD per factory with rendement of 7.1%. Indonesian sugar consumption within the consumer retail segment is 3 million tonnes per year, while national sugar production is only about 2.5–3.0 million tonnes per year resulting in a shortfall of 300–500,000 tonnes of sugar. Many issues continue to plague the Indonesian sugar industry, ranging from aging factories, reduced sugarcane fields, lack of good varieties, farm inefficiency, poor adoption of technology, slow pace of product diversification and low productivity to a flood of cheap imported sugar due to poor market regulation. Lack of adequate R&D support to the industry is also one of the reasons of low productivity, sugar recovery and loss of technical efficiency. The challenge of cheaply imported sugar into Indonesia serves to highlight the scale of demand for the commodity which places Indonesia among the world’s largest buyers by volume, particularly from the country’s food and beverage manufacturing sector. The bright prospects for investment in the national sugar industry are evident from the growing interests of the private sector to invest in the sector. Besides, the government also plans to revitalize existing sugar units, expand cane area and setup a few new sugar units in collaboration with the private sector to realize the plan of self-sufficiency.
TL;DR: In this paper, enzyme dextranase was produced from Paecilomyces lilacinus by submerged fermentation using Mandel medium and substrate dextrin, and the crude enzyme was partially purified by 80% ammonium sulphate saturation followed by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography.
Abstract: Dextran is a high molecular weight polysaccharide formed in sugarcane during post harvest staling resulting in loss of sucrose as well as quality of sugar. Information regarding the removal of polysaccharides from the sugarcane milled juice is limited. In the present study, enzyme dextranase was produced from Paecilomyces lilacinus by submerged fermentation using Mandel medium and substrate dextran. The crude enzyme was partially purified by 80 % ammonium sulphate saturation followed by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Two isoforms of dextranase D-I and D-II each with optimum pH 5.0 and temperature 50 °C were identified. Both the isoforms were most efficient kinetically at pH 5.0 and temperature 50 °C and were found to be thermostable in the temperature range 0–50 °C. The pKa values of ionizing groups in free enzyme and enzyme-substrate complex were found to be between 4.1 and 5.8 indicating the possible participation of carboxylate groups of aspartate/ glutamate and imidazolium group of histidine in dextranase catalysed hydrolysis of dextran by both the isoforms. Activation energy (Ea) values for D-I and D-II were 22.07 and 31.68 kJ/mol and corresponding enthalpy change (ΔH) values were 17.01 and 8.70 kJ/mol, respectively. Cu2+ activated whereas Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Fe2+ and Pb2+ inhibited the activity of dextranase. With the application of 5, 10 and 15 units of partially purified dextranase per 100 mL of juice, dextran content decreased by 56.39, 73.88 and 80.27 %, respectively as compared to the control (with no dextranase added) after 24 h of storage of cane juice.
TL;DR: In this paper, a linear demand function was used to estimate the bioethanol and biodiesel demand in India and the possible ways to meet out the biofuel demand were explained.
Abstract: Biofuels provide around 2% of total transport fuel today, by 2050, it is projected that 27% of the transport fuel will be shared by the biofuels globally. Some biofuels already perform well in economic terms, particularly sugarcane ethanol and other low cost agricultural biofuels. The biofuel program in India at niche stage though the policy has been framed out in 2003-04 to implement the biofuel blending program in India. India has carefully designed the biofuel policy and blending ratio to reduce CO2 emissions and import of the crude oil. In this study, the biofuel policy, biofuel production, biofuels requirement for blending, future biofuel production was estimated. The linear demand function was used to estimate the bioethanol and biodiesel demand. The possible ways to meet out the biofuels demand were explained.
Proper policy making and domestic production support measures for sustainable biofuel production and infrastructure for anhydrous ethanol storage are the guidepost for the successful implementation of the biofuel program in India.
TL;DR: The analysis of Nei’s genetic distance and UPGMA tree indicates that the decaploid population had the closest genetic relationship with the octaploids population and that the two populations had a close genetic relationshipWith commonly used parents (controls).
Abstract: Saccharum spontaneum L. plays a key role in the improvement of stress resistance and yield of sugarcane cultivars by serving as wild parent sources, especially lines of different ploidy. To better understand the genetic diversity and potential breeding value of S. spontaneum with different ploidy levels, 62 clones from four ploidy types (2n = 64, 72, 80, and 96) were screened using 30 pairs of SSR primers and with population genetics methods. The results showed that the decaploid and octaploid populations had a higher diversity than nonaploid and dodecaploid populations at 30 SSR loci with >98 % percentage of polymorphic bands and >0.92 polymorphic information content. Both the octaploid and decaploid populations shared more common bands with commonly used parents than the nonaploid or dodecaploid populations. The analysis of Nei’s genetic distance and UPGMA tree indicates that the decaploid population had the closest genetic relationship with the octaploid population and that the two populations had a close genetic relationship with commonly used parents (controls). According to the population divergence analysis, the four different ploidy populations did not show an obvious genetic divergence (Gst) (0.0880), but clearly had large amounts of gene flow (Nm) (5.1840). Octaploid and decaploid populations appeared to have undergone more genetic exchange with commonly used parents, as indicated by the low Gst value (0.1254 and 0.1276) and high Nm value (3.4872 and 3.4186). These results may provide important insight into utilizing the diversity of clones with different ploidy levels in S. spontaneum for future sugarcane breeding.